I know it here but I need help still DVD authoring

[yearofthespider2k3]

Ok guys heres my dilemma. I want to put multi AVI files to a dvd and have a nice dvd menu as well. I have tried lots of programs even paid for some but the results were never good. I have tried to read all the things online but I am still at a loss. Here are the general steps I go through
1.) Download AVI 2.) Convert AVI to mpeg II because the quality of the mpegII burned DVDS was always better than the ones of the avis. (less pixelation and more smooth video) I am using WinX AVI to MPEG to convert them with a video quality (bitrate?) of 5000 kbps at a frame frate of 29.97. The Audio is MP2 with a quality of 128 kbps and a sampling rate of 3200
3.) Then I put them in Sothink Movie DVD Maker and it does its thing.
The reason I need help is because I feel like the quality is not as good as it should be for some of the discs. I know all the AVI's are not the best quality to begin with so that doesn't help. I guess I would like to know if is this a good way to do things. I have yet to find a way to go straight from AVI to the program that does a really good job as converting to MPEGII first. I also have at my disposal ConvertX to DVD. Tell me what I could do better or if I should scrap the method and try a different program. I should also note that I have tried DVDAuthor GUI and I just can't figure out how to make it work. I am not very good at this but I am trying laymans terms are the best for my small brain.

[zoobie]

you're on the right track by first converting to mpeg2 then dropping it into the DVD maker...but it's probably re-encoding it yet again...see if there's a "do not re-encode compliant mpeg2" option in your authoring program

you can always try the highly recommended HC Encoder

[yearofthespider2k3]

Thanks Zoobie. I'll see what I can dig up. I have a little experience at this I just need to become more versed. Once I get a method sorted out I think I will be ok. Also, one more question, what it the max bitrate for MPEGII? WinX only allows up to 5000 mbps.

[zoobie]

I think it's 9.8 Mb/s but some players choke on it. That's why most around here use 6-8 Mb/s through quality encoding and media so it displays smoothly across players. I don 't think I'd go as low as you are because that's only half of the DVD spec and bitrate is just about everything

[usually_quiet]

AVStoDVD might be worth a try for simple menus. HCEnc is one of the encoding options. For AVStoDVD using HCEnc, the max setting allowed for video is 9000Mb/s. 9.8 Mb/s is the maximum supported in the spec, although bitrates above 9 Mb/s are uncommon.

[yearofthespider2k3]

I think it's 9.8 Mb/s but some players choke on it. That's why most around here use 6-8 Mb/s through quality encoding and media so it displays smoothly across players. I don 't think I'd go as low as you are because that's only half of the DVD spec and bitrate is just about everything

Another question I have for you. Since some of the avis are not the best quality is that why I am getting away with the lesser bitrates and the better avis are looking a little more rough? I think I may keep the WinX around for the files of lesser quality because to be honest I am not able to tell a big difference between lower and higher bitrates with the lsser quality files.

[yearofthespider2k3]

@ Usually_Quiet, I am going to download it and give it a try.
What settings do you use in video? Do you just use the automatic settings?

[hech54]

Convert AVI to mpeg II because the quality of the mpegII burned DVDS was always better than the ones of the avis. (less pixelation and more smooth video)

Actually.....just to clarify. You MUST convert to MPEG2 because that is what a DVD is...MPEG2. It can be nothing else.

Carry on....

[lordsmurf]

because that is what a DVD is...MPEG2. It can be nothing else..

Well technically, you can do MPEG-1 at the CIF specs: 352x240/288 @ 1150-1856k

... but it looks like crap.

[yearofthespider2k3]

@ usually quiet, in AVStoDVD say for instance I have the following files 2 AVI-352x288 25 fps, and 2 704x480 29.97 fps. What kind of settings would I use in the video Preferences? It needs to be NTSC since none of them are already MPEGII compliant I would not need to check the box, what video resolution would I use full D1, half D1, VCD, or Auto? HCENC 1 or 2 pass? 2 Pass lowers the bitrate down quite a bit but al I have read is that the 2 pass gives it better quality is this true? And finally what should I set the low and Hi bit rate at? Sorry for all the questions I just want to have a good idea before I start messing around too much. Also, I should note that there the running times are about 25, 25, and 35, and 40 minutes if that matters.

[DB83]

Your problem is that you have files from different sources. The first avi is typical from a PAL VCD whereas the second is not exactly NTSC DVD spec.

The program will allow you to make an NTSC dvd but you will have several issues with it:

1. The PAL avi will be resized to 720*480(full D1) so you lose a great deal of the current definition.
2. The same PAL avi will have its frame rate altered which will make the final video somewhat jerky.

Half d1 will half the horizontal but would offer little help to the PAL souce for the above reasons.

VCD will help the PAL source but would cripple the other clip.

Goodness knows what auto would do with this mixed bunch

[usually_quiet]

@ Usually_Quiet, I am going to download it and give it a try.
What settings do you use in video? Do you just use the automatic settings?

Most of the time I don't use automatic settings. ...but I'm not converting avi files. I'm converting my HDTV recordings from MPEG-2 .ts files to be DVD compatible, so my settings might not make sense for what you are doing. I initially experimented with short clips until I found something that looked good to me. You probably should start with the automatic settings, and try different things until you figure out what looks good for the video you are re-encoding.

@ usually quiet, in AVStoDVD say for instance I have the following files 2 AVI-352x288 25 fps, and 2 704x480 29.97 fps. What kind of settings would I use in the video Preferences? It needs to be NTSC since none of them are already MPEGII compliant I would not need to check the box, what video resolution would I use full D1, half D1, VCD, or Auto? HCENC 1 or 2 pass? 2 Pass lowers the bitrate down quite a bit but al I have read is that the 2 pass gives it better quality is this true? And finally what should I set the low and Hi bit rate at? Sorry for all the questions I just want to have a good idea before I start messing around too much. Also, I should note that there the running times are about 25, 25, and 35, and 40 minutes if that matters.

I'm starting and ending with NTSC. I have no experience re-encoding PAL to NTSC. Better rely on DB83's advice if you do that. I would choose to author the PAL and NTSC video to separate DVDs, leaving them as PAL or NTSC, and buy a multi-system DVD player that converts PAL to NTSC, if I was receiving video from PAL countries on a regular basis.

[yearofthespider2k3]

Thanks guys for all your help and knowledge. I did just use automatic settings and and full D1 and they came out alright. I mean to say that it is nothing amazing, but for the most part it works out alright and doesn't destroy the videos.